Fighting the algorithmic future one bit at a time

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‘Stop The Cyborgs’ was founded in response to the Google Glass project and other technology trends. The aim of the movement is to stop a future in which privacy is impossible and central control total.

If the government installed CCTV cameras and microphones everywhere, all feeding information to a central control room you would probably characterize it as a privacy risk. Is it any better if its run by a corporation and the devices are attached to people’s heads. Or if it uses human spy drones, which are socially incentivised to share information rather than automatic drones?

Google Glasses are a glasses like wearable computer which can act as a video camera so using these or similar devices someone might be filming you and uploading it to the internet without you knowing. (While there is a red indicator light its pretty subtle) The glasses have access to information on the internet so a stranger could look at you and might (depending on features) know all about you without you being aware. The Glasses can be fed contextual information by ‘Google Now‘ this gives Google’s algorithms real power to influence real world choices and perceptions. We don’t want a total ban but do we want people to limit it’s use.

We are also asking Google, other device makers and law makers to make a commitment that:

They will never allow any face recognition system or any app which automatically identifies people to work on Google Glass or on any server system connected to Glass.

They will implement a do not track system which allows people to opt out of being tracked or having information captured about them by Glass. This system should not require the person to identify themselves.

That all information gathered by Glass will remain the property of the owner or subject and will be encrypted so that it is impossible for it to be data-mined, made available to security services or used for commercial purposes.

Our objective is to start debate but we also want to encourage people to keep some space free of intrusive surveillance so that people can talk and behave freely its important for society and democracy that people can chat and live without fear that they might end up being published or prosecuted.

More generally we want people to realize that computer systems are not politically or socially neutral. They impact our lives, encourage and discourage certain behaviors but we typically don’t even question their design and intrinsic biases. Ordinary citizens need to get politically active in order to shape technology and the social norms around them. Don’t leave designing the future to the Geeks and the corporations.

What you can do.

Make your property and place of work a Google glass or surveillance device free zone by asking people to switch off their devices.

As a practical act which creates areas free of surveillance or highly intrusive surveillance.

As a symbolic act showing concern for privacy.

As a way of exerting social pressure to establish norms around usage.

As a way of exerting market pressure to discourage people from buying and companies developing these systems.

There needs to be a mass movement which is pro-privacy. Set up a group in your local area and get together to debate and raise awareness.

If you are artistic, think about how you could approach the issue in art.

If you are technical think about how to build better more human, privacy preserving systems.

Disability rights & assistive devices

Some people may need to use assistive aids for example:

A visually impaired person may choose to use a wearable camera to assist them with navigation or reading.

Someone with Autism may choose to use a digital assistant that provides real-time assistance with reading faces during conversations.

Someone with memory problems may choose to use a device which assists their memory.

We ask that if you do ban Google Glass and similar devices from your property that you also respect the rights of such people and do not prevent them from using assistive devices if the data remains within the control of the individual.

The issue as we have pointed out elsewhere is not the device itself but rather ownership and control over the data and the network. We therefore urge the designers of devices to ensure that the needs of all people are taken into account. For example the use of encryption so that the data gathered by these devices remains within the control of the individual and is not aggregated, broadcast or stored longer than is necessary.

Downloadable Signs

You can download the following images (free for non-commercial use). Click on the images below to download high resolution versions. Put them up to ban people from wearing Google Glass to help protect your privacy.

If you are not sure if you qualify as non commercial use or would like support us. You can buy professionally printed stickers, t-shirts and posters from the our store: Stop The Cyborgs Store